Chapter 1518: Keep Going

Zhu Weiguo cast a casual glance outside the window.“You know him?”

“Mo Jingyu, a Shénlín realm powerhouse from the Mo Sect.” Jiang Wang replied calmly. “This is the third time we’ve met.”

To be precise, the first time was merely “hearing” of him. At that time, he was still beneath the offering table in that dilapidated Daoist temple, waiting for death. In that great battle that changed his life, he heard the cry of an eagle, and heard the name Mo Jingyu.

The second time, in Yong Kingdom’s Marquis Weining Manor, was when he truly “saw” him. At that time, he was disguised as a guest wishing longevity, possessing a cultivation of two manors and two divine abilities. Mo Jingyu was a guest of honor in the Marquis Weining Manor.

Today was the third time. He was already an Outer Tower cultivator of the Heavenly Manor, with the Shénlín realm within reach, seated within the Prison Tower. Mo Jingyu again arrived by eagle, still flying high, but no longer so distant and unreachable.

Zhu Weiguo asked casually, “Enmity? Grievance?”

“Not really enmity, nor grievance. Some matters, cause and effect are intertwined, right and wrong cannot be clearly distinguished.” Jiang Wang said, “However, after reaching Shénlín, I shall have a battle with him.”

“Is that so…” Zhu Weiguo looked out the window again. That Shénlín realm prodigy of the Mo Sect possessed a formidable bearing.

He softly said, “I am already beginning to anticipate that day.”

Jiang Wang did not doubt that he could reach Shénlín, and Zhu Weiguo did not doubt that he could reach Shénlín.

Because for Jiang Wang, that step was merely a matter of course.

The difference between Xiao Shu and prodigies of his level lay in… before truly achieving it, Xiao Shu could not be certain that he could reach Shénlín.

Even though he had unprecedentedly constructed a Star Road, and had prepared the Six Senses Pills, it only meant that the opportunity had become very great.

“Having an opportunity” and “certain to succeed” is the difference between not being top-tier and being top-tier.

Of course, true powerhouses are always able to seize opportunities.

In these recent days, the number of people who have come to Everlasting City to observe Xiao Shu’s attempt to break through to Shénlín has increased daily.

Whether Xiao Shu could successfully reach Shénlín, and whether Zhang Xun could successfully block the city gate and intercept and kill him – on these two matters, countless people placed their bets.

Since Xiao Shu connected the Star Road and simultaneously began to construct the remaining three Star Towers, people coming to Everlasting City have been in an unending stream.

In just five days. Everlasting City’s life essence income has already increased many times over.

That single gate-keeping criminal guard was no longer enough, and now two teams, a total of twenty criminal guards, stand at the entrance collecting money.

There are also those who do not pay and only watch the show. However, in a place like Everlasting City, where villains are everywhere, for the sake of safety, or simply to avoid trouble, the vast majority of people are willing to spend some money.

The ability to protect Xiao Shu’s life under Zhang Xun’s hand has already given Everlasting City’s life essence system sufficient persuasive power.

But looking at the entire Everlasting City, among so many people over so many days, Mo Jingyu is undoubtedly the most significant.

A prestigious background, a Shénlín cultivation – in any place under heaven, he is naturally deserving of attention.

At this moment, he arrived by giant eagle, flying over the city wall amidst glances filled with various intentions, hovering above Xiao Shu.

He stood on the back of this fierce-looking puppet giant eagle, his hands slightly lowered.

A mask of profound iron concealed his expression, but his voice resounded throughout the city: “Mo Sect’s Mo Jingyu, representing the Yong Emperor, has arrived. There is no other matter; merely unable to bear seeing a brilliant pearl dimmed, and a virtuous talent left in the wilderness! Xiao Shu, if you are willing to join Yong Kingdom and pledge allegiance to Our Emperor, Yong Kingdom shall compensate for the losses you have caused to Dan Kingdom. Yong Kingdom shall resolve the conflict between you and Dan Kingdom.”

Mo Jingyu had come to recruit Xiao Shu!

The surrounding crowd was momentarily stunned, then suddenly enlightened.

At the moment Mo Jingyu arrived by eagle, Xiao Shu’s plan seemed to have become very clear.

Why did he go through so much trouble to escape to a place like Everlasting City? Why did he set a limit of forty days, attracting the attention of so many people, for such a widely observed journey to the Shénlín realm?

It must be said truthfully that even if he were to create a miracle today and truly achieve Shénlín, he would not be a match for Zhang Xun. At most, he would have some room to struggle, and perhaps attempt to escape.

Moreover, burdened by Dan Kingdom’s wanted decree, even if he reached Shénlín, he could not be at ease.

But if he was originally displaying his talent in anticipation of selling himself at a good price, then everything seems to have a very reasonable explanation…

This is the perfect way to break the situation.

In a place with a special geographical location like Everlasting City, he used the gimmick of attempting to reach Shénlín in forty days to attract numerous gazes.

He displayed his extraordinary value, and naturally, someone would weigh the trouble he carried. The higher the value he displayed, the more people would be willing to pay a price.

Before he demonstrated the possibility of reaching Shénlín within forty days, no power would risk offending Dan Kingdom to protect him. And after he demonstrated this possibility, this value, it seems that facing Dan Kingdom is no longer an absolutely untouchable option…

If one can gain a Shénlín realm prodigy, especially one so young, then offending Dan Kingdom, what is so extraordinary about that?

Mo Jingyu was merely the first to come and make an offer.

Perhaps not the last.

At this moment, Xiao Shu was still diligently carving his Star Vault Holy Tower and had not responded to Mo Jingyu’s recruitment.

Outside the city gate, Zhang Xun had opened his eyes.

He looked at the Mo Sect disciple on the giant eagle’s back and said coldly, “I fear some losses you cannot compensate for, and some conflicts, you cannot resolve.”

Zhang Xun’s words were not polite.

Anyone in his position could not be polite.

Mo Jingyu merely turned his head to look at him, his voice neither happy nor sad: “Brother Zhang need not be angry. If Xiao Shu truly agrees to join Yong Kingdom, I will naturally demonstrate Yong Kingdom’s sincerity to your esteemed country and then have a proper discussion with you.”

When Jiang Wang saw Mo Jingyu in Yong Kingdom’s Marquis Weining Manor, he was already wondering about Mo Jingyu’s affiliation. After all, this person had previously received orders from Qin Kingdom and participated in the siege and killing of Zuo Guanglie. Later, however, he was thriving in Yong Kingdom.

This time, it was confirmed that he is indeed now a person of Yong Kingdom.

It is just unknown whether he is following the general strategy of the Mo Sect as a whole, or has already completely pledged allegiance to Yong Kingdom’s new ruler, Han Xu…

In Jiang Wang’s opinion, the former is more likely.

After all, he is a person of “Divine Awareness,” with firm resolve, difficult to be influenced by external matters.

And before supporting Yong Kingdom, the Mo Sect was similar to the Three Punishments Palace, following the path of “those who learn from me need not belong to me,” merely seeking to spread their Dao tradition, and not confined by national boundaries.

After supporting Yong Kingdom and being established as Yong Kingdom’s only orthodox school, it became somewhat similar to the Daoist sect’s path.

As a Mo Sect disciple, when the Mo Sect has a need, giving up development in other countries and building a country belonging to the Mo Sect’s vision is also an understandable matter…

“There is nothing to discuss.”

Zhang Xun stood up, directly leaped into the high sky, and faced Mo Jingyu from afar.

Xiao Shu had cultivated for thirty-five days, and he had also waited in silence for thirty-five days, tempering his heart for thirty-five days. So many mocking voices, so many scornful glances, he saw them all as if they were not there.

But today, he could no longer sit down.

“Killing one person is killing, killing two people is also killing.” He said thus: “Dare to protect Xiao Shu, and you are my, Zhang Xun’s, enemy.”

Mo Jingyu looked at him deeply, and said in a calm tone, “I advise you not to do so.”

They gazed at each other in the high sky, neither having any intention of retreating.

The atmosphere was momentarily solemn.

The confrontation between two Shénlín realm powerhouses pushed this turmoil to a new climax.

And the protagonist of this turmoil, Xiao Shu, remained silent.

In the silence, extraordinary changes were occurring.

He gently inhaled, and the purple qi rising from his face was all absorbed into his body.

The four star points on the horizon shone brilliantly, flashed violently, and then disappeared, along with that clear Star Road.

Thus, everyone knew that his Four Great Star Vault Holy Towers had already been erected!

Only at this point did he open his eyes and softly laugh, “I am still breaking through. Your drawing swords here is very distracting.”

Mo Jingyu looked at him and said, “Our Emperor is saving the times, flourishing the country, with a grand ambition for eternity, sincerely awaiting heroes of the world! Xiao Shu, you are precisely the talent Our Emperor needs, and you also need a link like Yong Kingdom. I have come today with sincerity to invite you; please give it serious consideration.”

“I was in Dan Kingdom for twenty years, and Dan Kingdom did not know I was a talent.” Xiao Shu sighed. “Unexpectedly, I have only been in Everlasting City for thirty days, and even people from Yong Kingdom know I am a talent!”

“Talent without virtue is a harm to the world!” Zhang Xun, standing in the air, coldly and angrily rebuked: “Last year, we went to the Observation River Platform together, and your treatment was not less than mine by half. Dan Kingdom nurtured you for twenty years, granting you titles, generous salaries, famous teachers, secret arts and true truyền… All of this, however, only resulted in your theft of the pills and your departure, causing our country’s Yuan Shi Pill Assembly, which has been passed down for many years, to be destroyed. All of this only resulted in your current statement, that Dan Kingdom does not know you are a talent?!”

The more he spoke, the more agitated he became, appearing almost ready to rush towards this side immediately.

But an invisible pressure enveloped him, making him understand the Everlasting City Lord’s answer.

He could not cross the city gate line in the end.

Zhang Xun spoke here about how Xiao Shu was talented but lacked virtue, but Xiao Shu did not argue a single word, and Mo Jingyu also appeared completely unconcerned.

He merely said to Xiao Shu again, “Since the new emperor’s ascension, Our Yong Kingdom has been unconventional, elevating talent alone, eliminating old evils, and reforming the government, bringing new life to a great nation and comforting the souls of heroes… Today’s Yong Kingdom is precisely suited for ambitious young people like you to fully utilize your talents! If you come with me now, Yong Kingdom will guarantee your safety, and can give you more time and more ample preparation to attempt to break through to Shénlín. Of course, when I say this, I am not forcing you to make a choice. Yong Kingdom’s sincerity is here, and you have enough time to consider. I will not disturb you for now; cultivate well.”

Yong Kingdom was indeed full of sincerity.

They practically gave Xiao Shu an absolutely safe retreat. Xiao Shu could completely withdraw from this adventure now, join Yong Kingdom, properly consolidate his Outer Tower cultivation, and then with better material preparation, attempt to reach the realm of “I am as if Shénlín.”

They were willing to pay a Shénlín realm price for Xiao Shu’s current Outer Tower realm, only because they expected his future Shénlín realm.

After the news of Xiao Shu carving the Star Road and fully erecting the four Holy Towers spread, there were undoubtedly many powers that were interested in him.

But only Yong Kingdom, at the first opportunity, sent a Shénlín powerhouse like Mo Jingyu to personally arrive at Everlasting City.

This sincerity was unmatched.

But Xiao Shu merely closed his eyes once again.

He did not respond to Dan Kingdom’s criticism, nor to Yong Kingdom’s sincerity.

At this moment, there were no longer any unusual phenomena in the sky or on the ground, but everyone knew that he had begun preparing for the final sprint.

Although his internal situation could not be seen, he must have been meticulously sorting himself out, in order to adjust himself to his optimal state.

In the time that followed, no one created any major disturbances.

The time for Xiao Shu to attempt to reach Shénlín was only the last five days.

Everyone was waiting.

“Mo Jingyu has come on behalf of Yong Kingdom. Will Du Ruhui come?” Jiang Wang asked from atop the Prison Tower.

“He will not.” Zhu Weiguo said with great certainty, “Zhuang Kingdom is too close to Dan Kingdom; the pressure is too great. They will not want Xiao Shu. Since Xiao Shu is useless to Zhuang Kingdom, then even if he causes a huge commotion here, Du Ruhui will not spare him a second glance.”

Jiang Wang knew that Zhu Weiguo must understand Du Ruhui better, and thus asked, “If there were no influence from Dan Kingdom, if Xiao Shu were useful to Zhuang Kingdom, what would Du Ruhui do?”

Zhu Weiguo said, “Then even if he had to crawl, he would crawl before Xiao Shu. He would sincerely say to Xiao Shu—‘The future of Zhuang Kingdom cannot do without you!’”

Jiang Wang sighed, “Sitting here watching the show, I always feel like I’m dozing on the edge of a tiger mountain. There’s some unease.”

Zhu Weiguo said without changing his expression, “There is indeed a tiger.”

Jiang Wang did not take up this death-seeking conversation, as he was not of the Shénlín physique and could not take a beating. He merely said, “There are only a few days left. Let’s see how Xiao Shu chooses.”

In fact, for the current Xiao Shu, Yong Kingdom is indeed the best choice.

Looking at the entire Western Border, there are not many countries that can be tough in front of Dan Kingdom. Countries like Cheng, Mo, Luo, Jiao, etc., would not dare to harbor Xiao Shu at all.

Qin Kingdom, on the other hand, has no pressure whatsoever, but Qin Kingdom may not value Xiao Shu. If Xiao Shu were to go and join them on his own, that would be one thing; it would not be enough for them to send people thousands of miles to contend for him.

The newly rising Zhuang Kingdom is too close to Dan Kingdom. If Zhuang Kingdom were to openly harbor the traitor of Dan Kingdom, Dan Kingdom would not be able to pretend not to see it.

In the matter of contending for Xiao Shu, Yong Kingdom possesses such a great advantage. Han Xu, however, did not use this to drive down the price; instead, he promised to resolve all of Xiao Shu’s troubles, and did not require him to reach Shénlín now. He was even willing to guarantee his safety first, invite him back to Yong Kingdom, and give him better conditions to help him attempt to reach Shénlín—such conditions, looking at the entire world, few families would be willing to offer. This is undoubtedly a great respect shown to Xiao Shu.

Therefore, Mo Jingyu’s personal visit this time was also filled with great confidence.

But Xiao Shu still chose to continue attempting to reach Shénlín.

Right here, right now.

Not just because he believed in his own path.

Not just because the path to Shénlín is like crossing a rope bridge with a vast army, relying on one burst of morale. Sometimes, no amount of stacked resources can compare to such a determined spirit. If one loses the courage of today, one may not have the achievement of tomorrow…

These are all reasons, but not the most important reasons.

He simply chose to hold his destiny in his own hands.

Just as he refused the suggestions of Dan Kingdom’s high-ranking officials, just as he chose to venture into the Mountain Sea Realm.

Just as he personally took back that Six Senses Pill.

Certainly, Yong Kingdom is the best choice for him at this stage, but once he can achieve Shénlín, the sky and sea are vast. In the vastness of the world, where is there not a choice?

He can certainly achieve it.

Extraordinary changes occurred in the Mountain Sea Realm, likely related to Huang Weizhen.

He believes that Everlasting City, which is subtly linked to Huang Weizhen, is now safer than ever before.

That is why he desperately fled here.

He gambled correctly on this step. In his view, the outcome was already determined.

Everything in the world is determined by the heart.

Keep walking, keep walking, keep walking!

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